Second Virtual IMU Science Discovery Challenge Attracts Record Number of Participants

21 August 2021 – Approximately 7000 students from 1108 schools and higher learning institutions battled it out in the preliminary rounds of the IMU Science Discovery Challenge 2021 which was held virtually from 1 June 2021 to 8 August 2021. Out of these, students from 768 schools competed in the school level competition while students from another 360 schools and higher learning institutions participated in the Pre-university level competition. After a qualifying round, each level of competition had only 200 students joining the virtual Grand Finale for a highly challenging and competitive final round, vying for the RM13,500 worth of prizes that were up for grabs. “This year’s virtual competition drew a record number of participants of approximately 7,000 students, more than a 40% increase from last year’s number of 4,000. The growing interest of students in this competition is very encouraging. We hope that this Challenge continues to be an opportunity for students to explore an academic career in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field. With this in mind, in conjunction with the IMU Science Discovery Challenge 2021, four sharing sessions on some of the programmes offered at IMU were organised for the benefit of the participants,” said Prof Chin Beek Yoke, Organising Chairman of the Challenge and Associate Dean, Research and External Affairs, School of Health Sciences, IMU.

The virtual competition this year was able to attract a more diverse participation from all over Malaysia and from other countries around the world. International participants include participants from Bangladesh, Brunei, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan and Yemen, making up a very small percentage of the total competitors.

Open to pre-university and secondary school students The IMU Science Discovery Challenge is designed to foster the interest of sciences among secondary school and pre-university students, aligned with the initiatives by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. It also has the aim of equating Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics theories learned in the classroom to how they are applied to our everyday lives. By observing and participating in key scientific activities that are practised in their daily lives, students may then have an appreciation for its current and emergent potential and utility, and be inspired to take up a multitude of careers in healthcare.

Congratulations to the Winners of the IMU Science Discovery Challenge!